How to Open & Close Different Pandora Bracelets

Most Pandora bracelets feature a specific type of snap clasp called a barrel clasp. If you’re new to Pandora bracelets, it might look tricky to open, but we promise it’s actually pretty easy! In this article, we’ll show you how to open and close barrel clasps, as well as how to open other popular bracelets like the Slider and Chain bracelets. Plus, we’ll show you how to easily put on your bracelet by yourself. Keep reading to find out more!

How to Put a Pandora Bracelet On

To open a barrel clasp, insert your fingernail into the groove on the clasp. Or, push a clasp opener or credit card into the groove. Remove the bracelet end from the clasp. Then, drape the clasp end over your wrist and press it against your body. Grab the other end, place it inside the clasp, and snap it closed.

Section 1 of 5:

Opening Barrel Clasp Bracelets

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Rotate the clasp until the groove on it faces upwards. Pandora’s most popular bracelets have a grooved clasp that’s shaped like a barrel, heart, or sphere. Simply turn the clasp with your fingers until you see a vertical line running end to end along 1 side. The clasp opens along this line.^{[1]
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- Pandora occasionally creates clasps with specialty shapes, like stars, butterflies, and snake heads. They open the same way as the standard barrel, heart, and sphere clasps.
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Insert your thumbnail into the groove. Slide your thumbnail into the groove to unlock the clasp. You may find it easier to use both thumbnails to open the clasp if you can fit them. Just position your thumbs so both nails touch back to back. However, you can open the clasp with your other fingers, if you prefer.^{[2]
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- Brace the sides of the clasp with your other fingers or the side of your body.
- Starting with 2 nails is often easier and gives you more leverage on the clasp. After you get accustomed to opening the bracelet, you may be able to do it with a single nail.
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Or, insert a clasp opener, credit card, or guitar pick into the groove. If you can’t or don’t want to use your fingernails, there are other easy ways to unlock the clasp. Pandora makes their own clasp openers; simply wedge the clasp opener's flat edge into the gap and push it in until the clasp opens.^{[3]
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Research source} Alternatively, insert a credit card, guitar pick, or other thin, plastic object into the groove.
- Avoid forcing the clasp open with the opener or other tool. While you want to use firm pressure to get the clasp open, don’t push so hard that you accidentally damage the clamp.
- You may need to wiggle the clasp opener or other tool back and forth a bit to get the clasp to unlock.
- If you don't have a Pandora clasp opener, use a generic clasp opener. Look for tools designed for jewelry or even phones.
- Using a clasp opener or other tool is a great option if you have acrylic or press-on nails, have short or brittle nails, or simply have a hard time opening the clasp with your fingers.
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Pry the sides of the clasp apart until it's fully open. Use your fingers to separate the ends of the clasp. Apply gentle but firm pressure. The clasp will pop open, allowing you to put on or take off the bracelet.^{[4]
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- The clasp may be a little stiff and difficult to open in order to keep the charms secure. Apply a tiny bit more force to push the clasp open (without the use of additional tools).
- If you have trouble opening the clasp, adjust your grip and try again. Most clasps pop open without much trouble, but you may need to get a clasp opener to remove a stuck clasp.
The clasp is permanently secured to one end of the bracelet. The other end looks like a small plug. Simply pick it up and move it out of the clasp to finish opening the bracelet.^{[5]
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Section 2 of 5:

Closing Barrel Clasp Bracelets

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Place the bracelet's rod into the open clasp. Take a look at the ends of the bracelet. The bracelet has a small head shaped like a rod at one end. Make sure the clasp is open, then rest the rod inside it. Push the rod as far as you can into the curved groove of the clasp.^{[6]
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- If the rod is outside of the groove, the clasp will not close correctly. The bracelet may end up falling off your wrist. Check the placement carefully as you close the clasp.
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Grasp the sides of the clasp with your fingers. Place your thumb against one side of the clasp, then reach your forefinger over to the other side. Grasp the clasp firmly between your fingers.^{[7]
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- Use your free hand or fingers to hold the rest of the bracelet steady as you work.
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Squeeze the ends of the clasp together to close it. Bring your thumb and forefinger together to snap the clasp shut; you’ll hear an audible “click” when the clasp is securely closed. You won't need to use a lot of force to do this. Check the clasp to make sure the head is secure inside of it.
- If the clasp seems loose, open it up and adjust it until it snaps closed and feels secure.
- Avoid forcing the clasp if it doesn't close correctly—you could end up breaking it. The problem is likely that the rod isn't snug in the clasp's groove. Open it up and try again.

Section 3 of 5:

Opening and Closing Other Types of Bracelets

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Slider Bracelets To open up a slider bracelet, find the silver clasp that has a lever on it. Simply press down on the lever and pull the bracelet out of the clasp. Push the bracelet end back into the clasp to close it. You’ll hear a slight snap when the clasp is fully closed and secure.^{[8]
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- To adjust the slider bracelet’s tightness, simply pull the bead at the end. Pulling the bead closer to the 2 ends loosens it, while pushing the bead away from the 2 ends tightens it.
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Chain Bracelets Pandora sells several chain-style bracelets that have lobster clasps, which are like keychain hooks. You simply pull down the lever on the clasp to open it, then slide the end of the bracelet off it. To close the bracelet, press down on the lever of the lobster clasp and hook it back onto the end of the bracelet.^{[9]
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- Some chain bracelets, like the Link Chain Bracelet, have a carabiner-style clasp. Simply find the groove along the largest link and push it in to open.^{[10]
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Pandora has several styles of solid, continuous bangles that open up. Find the notch on the top or bottom of the bracelet. Press it down and then pull on the bracelet to pull it apart. To close the bracelet, simply push the key-like end back into the other end of the bracelet.^{[11]
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Pandora also sells several types of “open” style bangles that aren’t continuous. You’re typically able to slide these styles on by turning your wrist sideways. But, if you want to add charms, open the bracelet by pushing the circular bead at either end into the bracelet. Then, twist it and pull it off. To put it back on, push the bead onto the end of the bracelet and turn it so it locks in place.^{[12]
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Section 4 of 5:

Ways to Put on a Pandora Bracelet

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Drape the bracelet over your wrist and hold it in place with your body. If you have a barrel clasp bracelet, lay the clasp end of the bracelet over your wrist and let the rod end dangle. Pull your arm to your body to hold the bracelet in place and keep it from slipping off your wrist. Then, use your other hand to grab the rod end and place it inside the clasp. Simply use your thumb and forefinger to snap the clasp closed.^{[13]
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- If you’re putting on a bracelet with a lobster or carabiner clasp, it’s typically easier to drape the other end of the bracelet over your wrist so the clasp dangles down. This allows you to use your other hand to open up the clasp and hook it around the end of the bracelet.
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Use a bracelet helper tool to hold the bracelet in place as you put it on. If you’re having trouble putting the bracelet on by yourself, use a special bracelet helper tool to keep it in place. Use the tool to clip the clasp end of the bracelet. Then, hold the tool with your bracelet hand and wrap the bracelet around your wrist. Simply use your other hand to place the other end of the bracelet into the clasp and snap it closed.^{[14]
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- Alternatively, use a bobby pin or paper clip to act as a helper tool. Simply hook the end of the bracelet onto the bobby pin or clip and hold onto it as you wrap the bracelet around your wrist and close it.^{[15]
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Section 5 of 5:

Opening and Closing Clip Beads

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Rotate the bead so the opening groove faces upwards. The clip bead is at the end of the bracelet, directly behind the rod component on the bracelet's latching mechanism. Turn the bead with your fingers until you see the groove; it is a thin gap that runs down the bead's side.^{[16]
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- Note that you have to open the bracelet before you can open any beads. This allows the clip bead to prevent other components from sliding off the bracelet.
- Opening the clip bead is very similar to unlocking barrel clasps. They both use the same type of mechanism.
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Insert your fingernails into the gap. Slip your thumbnail into the groove. You can usually snap open the bead with a single nail. If you need more leverage, use your other thumb as well to pull the bead's sides in opposite directions.^{[17]
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- If you're wearing the bracelet, pin it to your wrist with your fingers to keep it still.
- Or, use a clasp opener, a credit card, or the side of a thin coin to open the bead.
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Pry open the bead and set it aside. Use firm, even pressure to pull open the gap in the bead. As you push outwards, it will pop open. The remaining beads will be loose, so hold on to the end of the bracelet and keep it pointed upwards. Now you can reach any other beads you wish to remove and put new ones on.^{[18]
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- As soon as the bead pops open, you can move it off the bracelet. Be careful to avoid spilling the other beads.
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Pinch the bead between your fingers and fit it around the bracelet. Hold the bead between your thumb and forefinger, keeping its inner groove facing upwards. Bring the end of the bracelet over and set it inside the groove. Make sure it fits snugly inside the curve of the bead.^{[19]
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- Hold the bead steady with your other fingers. Pin it against a flat work surface or your wrist to prevent the other beads from shifting.
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Snap the ends together to close the bead. Push your fingers together. The sides of the bead will come together without the need for much force. Continue pushing until you hear the bead click closed.^{[20]
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- If the bead doesn't seem to close correctly, avoid forcing it. Open it up and check its alignment. The bracelet may not be firm inside the bead's groove.

Community Q&A

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How do I put the bracelet on and close the barrel clasp? It keeps falling off my wrist.

Community Answer

Tape one end of the bracelet (the part with the clasp) onto your wrist with some scotch tape. Then you can easily put on your bracelet. Remove the scotch tape once it's clasped.

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Be careful when opening the bracelet and stopper bead. Nothing will be holding the other beads in place, so they can fall off the bracelet.

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Always make sure the stopper bead is in place before you close the bracelet clasp.

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Avoid rolling the bracelet off your hand. Open the clasp to avoid stretching and damaging it.

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